Quitters no loss to Tyrone for qualifier bid

With the exception of Kerry and Dublin, whose experiences through the 'back door' has been limited because of their consistency in Munster and Leinster respectively, Tyrone has the highest percentage success rate (82) in the All-Ireland football qualifiers.

With the exception of Kerry and Dublin, whose experiences through the 'back door' has been limited because of their consistency in Munster and Leinster respectively, Tyrone has the highest percentage success rate (82) in the All-Ireland football qualifiers.

They won the 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland titles via the second chance, and also reached two other quarter-finals and a semi-final.

They have won 20 and drawn one of 25 qualifier games, which shows that unlike some other counties, they are good at picking themselves up after provincial setbacks.

That's why I would totally ignore rumours of discontent in the camp over the departure of some players, allegedly because they didn't see enough action.

Has it dawned on them that the reason they weren't deployed as often as they thought their talents merited is because Mickey Harte thought others were better?

By walking away, they have shown that he was right.

Leaving the squad in a huff wouldn't exactly inspire confidence that a player would stand up when it really counted.

Quitting isn't exactly the Seán Cavanagh way, now is it? The great warrior will still be battling on when Limerick come to Omagh on Sunday.

And guess what? He could well see Croke Park before the season is out too.